Apparatus and methods are described for regulating blood flow in an ascending aorta of a subject including inserting a device into the ascending aorta. When in a deployed state, the device defines an inner surface that defines a conduit through the device, at least a portion of the inner surface diverging, such that a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the downstream end of the diverging portion is greater than a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the upstream end of the diverging portion. The device is deployed within a longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta, such that the device defines the conduit throughout deployment of the device within the longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

An implantable device includes an outer tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen. The outer tubular member includes: an outer wall portion having a plurality of first strands defining a plurality of first openings therebetween, the outer wall portion having a first porosity; and an inner baffle portion disposed within the lumen, the inner baffle portion including a plurality of second strands defining a plurality of second openings therebetween, the inner baffle portion having a second porosity that is lower than the first porosity of the outer wall portion.

A stent graft for treating an arterial aneurysm includes loops fixed to struts of stents, wherein the struts define distal and proximal apices. The ends of a ligature can be linked by a wire in a stent graft delivery system that threads anchor loops longitudinally spanning ends of the ligature to maintain the stent in a radially constricted position during delivery to the aneurysm. A delivery system and method for implanting a stent graft prosthesis includes and employs a torque component at a distal end of the stent graft prosthesis, whereby following advancement of the stent graft to a surgical site in a constrained or partially constrained configuration, torque is applied to the torque component to rotationally align the stent graft about a longitudinal axis of the stent graft, followed by deployment of the stent graft in correct rotational alignment. A delivery system and method of its use includes an apex capture assembly, a leg clasp, and a leg stop for capturing a stent graft during orientation and stabilization at an implantation site of a surgical site.

An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

An integrated valve prosthesis includes an anchor stent, a tether component, and a valve component. The anchor stent includes a self-expanding tubular frame member configured to be deployed in the annulus of an aortic valve or the aorta. The valve component includes a valve frame and a prosthetic valve coupled to the valve frame, and is configured to be deployed within the anchor stent. The tether component includes a first end coupled to the anchor stent and a second end coupled to the valve frame. In the delivery configuration, the tether component extends in a first direction from the anchor stent to the valve component, and in the deployed configuration, the tether component extends in a second direction from the anchor stent to the valve component. The second direction is generally opposite the first direction. The tether component may set the location of the valve component relative to the anchor stent.

Engageable stents disclosed herein may include an outer stent comprising an elongate body configured to be expandable between a constrained configuration and an unconstrained configuration. The elongate body in the unconstrained configuration may include a retention member and a cylindrical saddle region adjacent the retention member, the cylindrical saddle region defining a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the outer stent. The retention member of the outer stent may comprise a double-walled flange. The engageable stents may include an inner stent comprising an elongate body configured to be expandable between a constrained configuration and an unconstrained configuration. The elongate body in the unconstrained configuration may include a retention member and a cylindrical saddle region adjacent the retention member. The retention member of the inner stent may comprise a double-walled flange. The retention members of the outer and inner stent may be removably engageable with each other.

The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.

A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.

The present application discloses a balloon stent, comprising a drug balloon and a stent assembly, each having a contracted state and an expanded state, wherein the stent assembly includes at least two stents sleeved around a periphery of the drug balloon and disposed at an interval along its axial direction. The stent assembly adopts a design of at least two stents disposed at an interval, which can effectively reduce coverage of the stents and volume of implant, and reduce the probability of restenosis. When restenosis occurs, the stent can be re-implanted for treatment in the interval between two adjacent stents. The newly implanted stent will not overlap with the original stent, so as to effectively suppress the occurrence of in-stent restenosis and ensure long-term treatment effect.